Discussion Reading Group for June 5th -- The Walking Man by Dennis Etchison

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GNTLGNT

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
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...the big "D" sorta kinda stumbled into the horror genre, or as it's been titled in his case "quiet horror"....he combines the sap filled fist to the brain of a 30's detective writer with a dark and sometimes nauseating look at the underbelly of "life"....this tale is no exception....once read, his work is not easily pigeonholed into a web shrouded back corner of one's brain.....
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

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Okay, this is obviously a femme fatale who wants her old wealthy husband killed, and she picks up our protagonist to solicit him to do so. I was getting confused with the comment, "When did you first hear the voices?" And what was she getting at in the "human" convo? (Cherry picked the conversation out of the whole).

"You talk like they're not even human," I said.....And we are?" she said. "Is that what you mean?"

Were they alien serial killers who give off serial killer pheromones and they can spot each other at a 5 feet whiff? So that was the reason she knew he heard voices? Or did he hear voices? Or she guessed he heard voices?

And of course, the private eye stepping in and giving him a good warning. Well, good for him because I think the guy was seriously thinking about doing it. But at the end, he's watching her through the windows of the bar. Very ominous. And what does it mean? Why is he watching her? What is he going to do?

This one had me scratching my head.
 
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Neesy

Neesy

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Spideyman

Spideyman

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Dana Jean said:
Okay, this is obviously a femme fatale who wants her old wealthy husband killed, and she picks up our protagonist to solicit him to do so. I was getting confused with the comment, "When did you first hear the voices?" And what was she getting at in the "human" convo? (Cherry picked the conversation out of the whole).

"You talk like they're not even human," I said.....And we are?" she said. "Is that what you mean?"

Were they alien serial killers who give off serial killer pheromones and they can spot each other at a 5 feet whiff? So that was the reason she knew he heard voices? Or did he hear voices? Or she guessed he heard voices?

And of course, the private eye stepping in and giving him a good warning. Well, good for him because I think the guy was seriously thinking about doing it. But at the end, he's watching her through the windows of the bar. Very ominous. And what does it mean? Why is he watching her? What is he going to do?

This one had me scratching my head.
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I had to read it twice too. I think most of your questions become open ended-- let the reader place their own conclusions. No aliens, just human psyche that is dark and deep.
 
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Spideyman

Spideyman

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Neesy said:
I was wondering why the girl was trying to get him to choose "which one" and
why anyone would kill another person at random for no particular reason. In the end it made sense - she was married to a rich older man and just wanted to get rid of him.

Interesting story - thanks for posting it
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Reference your spoiler as to why would do---- part of human behavior. Some will do anything.
 
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Dana Jean

Dana Jean

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Spideyman said:
Agree- not familiar with this author's writing, so must read other short stories and see if that is his thing/ trend. Must admit is was "interesting"!
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I've read a couple of his and don't remember them being as vague as this one. But that's how it is with any author and their writing. Hits and misses as readers.
 
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